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Gibbons alters lineup against lefty starter

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Bonifacio's first Blue Jays hit 0:49

4/2/13: Emilio Bonifacio lines a double to right field off Justin Masterson in his first at-bat as a member of the Blue Jays

By Evan Peaslee
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MLB.com |

TORONTO -- The Blue Jays made significant changes to their lineup Sunday with Boston's Jon Lester on the mound, something that manager John Gibbons plans to do when the Blue Jays face a left-handed starter.

Adam Lind was left out of the lineup as he continues to share duties with Rajai Davis in a platoon the duo, with Lind facing right-hander and Davis facing left-handers.

Colby Rasmus also sat, a day after drilling a home run 468 feet Saturday to help lead to Blue Jays to a 5-0 victory.

"He's got the two big homers, but other than that, he's been a little inconsistent at the plate," Gibbons said.

Emilio Bonifacio started in place of Rasmus in center field, marking his first appearance in the outfield after making three errors at second base in Friday's opener against Boston.

"He looked good. He's got good range, he's active out there. We've heard great things from people who have seen him out there," Gibbons said.

Bonifacio played only a handful of games in the outfield during Spring Training as the Blue Jays tried to determine who would become their everyday second baseman, but the 27-year-old made 100 starts in the outfield with the Marlins last season.

"He's the ideal National League player because you can run him in any position like that," Gibbons said. "That's always been his role. He hasn't settled in one spot because he's so valuable doing them all."

With Bonifacio in center field, Maicer Izturis, who's struggled defensively at third base, moved across the diamond to start at second.

Henry Blanco made his Blue Jays debut behind the plate, catching knuckleballer R.A. Dickey. That move was expected after J.P. Arencibia set a team record with three passed balls in Dickey's Opening Day start against the Indians.

Arencibia, who's had a red-hot start to the season with three home runs and four RBIs in his past three games, remained in the lineup as the team's designated hitter. It could create an issue if injury forced Blanco from the game, because the Blue Jays would have to abandon their designated hitter by moving Arencibia behind the plate.

Evan Peaslee is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.